Device and method for rapid chest tube insertion

Abstract

The present invention is a device and method for gaining access, quickly and inexpensively, to a body cavity for the purpose of inserting into the cavity a medical device, such as a chest tube. The device generally comprises a catheter and a cannula insertable into the catheter during an insertion procedure. The cannula has a cutting tip that extends beyond one end of the catheter. The cutting tip enables simple insertion of the device into the body without requiring substantial pushing force. Once the device is inserted in the body, the cannula is removed, leaving a path of entry into the body cavity, while removing the sharp cutting tip from the area to reduce the likelihood of injury to a patient in whom the device is inserted.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tube insertion device, comprising: a generally tubular catheter having a distal end and a proximal end; and a cannula having a cutting tip at a distal end, said cannula insertable into said proximal end of said catheter during an insertion procedure so that said distal end of said cannula extends beyond the distal end of said catheter to provide said tube insertion device with a cutting tip; 
       wherein said cutting tip comprises a tapered, threaded section terminating in a point at the distal end of said cannula;  
       wherein said catheter including a threaded section along its outer diameter, so that when said cannula is inserted into said catheter, the threaded section of said catheter and the threaded section of said cutting tip coincide to form an essentially continuous threaded section along the tube insertion device;  
       wherein said catheter includes a head assembly at said proximal end, said head assembly including a port located between said distal and proximal ends of said catheter, and wherein said cannula includes a conduit running from said cutting tip to a location adjacent said port when said cannula is inserted into said catheter, thereby creating a passage between said cutting tip and said port.  
     
     
       2. A tube insertion device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said conduit comprises a hollowed-out portion extending from the distal end of said cannula to said location adjacent said port, and openings formed in said cannula at either end of said hollowed-out portion, thereby forming a fluid passageway between said cutting tip and said port through said conduit when said cannula is inserted in said catheter. 
     
     
       3. A tube insertion device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said catheter further includes an adjustable depth-limiter which can be adjusted to limit the depth of insertion of said tube insertion device. 
     
     
       4. A tube insertion device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said head assembly includes a check valve inside said catheter, said check valve being in an open position when said cannula is inserted in said catheter and in a closed position when said cannula is removed from said catheter. 
     
     
       5. A tube insertion device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said head assembly includes means for connecting a chest tube thereto, and wherein a chest tube is connectable to said catheter so that a distal end of said chest tube extends into said catheter, opens said check valve, and extends out through the distal opening. 
     
     
       6. A tube insertion device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said conduit comprises at least one spline extending from the distal end of said cannula to said location adjacent said port, thereby forming a fluid passageway between said cutting tip and said port through said conduit when said cannula is inserted in said catheter. 
     
     
       7. A method for accessing a body cavity of a patient comprising the steps of: 
       providing a tube insertion device having a generally tubular catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;  
       providing a cannula having a cutting tip at a distal end;  
       inserting said cannula being insertable into said proximal end of said catheter so that said distal end of said cannula extends beyond the distal end of said catheter to provide said tube insertion device with a cutting tip;  
       placing said cutting tip against the skin of said patient at an insertion location;  
       turning said tube insertion device to advance said tube insertion device into the patient a predetermined distance; and  
       removing said cannula thereby creating an access to the body cavity through said catheter.